I strongly disagree with the notion that drafting success is almost completely random and unsustainable. You can not value teams track records all you want, but some teams are consistently better at drafting and some aren't. Luck plays a factor but they better teams manage it. There are a lot of factors that go into drafting but some franchises produce better results.

Are we debating overall talent or just younger talent? What is the cutoff for young talent? The Ravens have more overall talent than the Browns but young talent is comparable. The quarterback difference is really what puts the Browns behind the rest of the division.

I gotta go with Thumper that I think luck plays a huge part in things. Luck in having a guy perfect for your system/scheme fall to you, to be able to groom a guy for a couple years, for taking a risk on a guy that has problems.
I mean, look at Randy Moss and Ryan Leaf. Both had huge risks. I don't think anybody could fault the Chargers for taking Leaf at the time, he was a great prospect and they desperately needed a franchise QB. And many teams passed on Moss, who showed up to the Heisman ceremonies stoned from what I recall. Moss still had problems, but is a HOF WR while Leaf of course busted hard.

If Chudzinski can get a Derek Anderson 2007 season out of Weeden like he did out of Derek Anderson then they can win 12 games with that supporting roster. At this point really are a QB away from being a contender, but that is not so easy to solve. Fantastic OLine, good young WR corps, fantastic defensive front, secondary I think will be better than it looks on paper. Coaching staff looks good, they have depth and talent. I said 7 wins, but if could easily be a lot more if the QB play surprises and is good. I expect 6 to 8 though, too much talent to lose more than that. They lost a lot of close games last year in the 4th quarter and they were pretty bad on offense and not as talented as they are this year (or as well coached most likely).

If Chudzinski can get a Derek Anderson 2007 season out of Weeden like he did out of Derek Anderson then they can win 12 games with that supporting roster. At this point really are a QB away from being a contender, but that is not so easy to solve. Fantastic OLine, good young WR corps, fantastic defensive front, secondary I think will be better than it looks on paper. Coaching staff looks good, they have depth and talent. I said 7 wins, but if could easily be a lot more if the QB play surprises and is good. I expect 6 to 8 though, too much talent to lose more than that. They lost a lot of close games last year in the 4th quarter and they were pretty bad on offense and not as talented as they are this year (or as well coached most likely).

I find it incredibly hard to believe that the Browns are simply above average QB production away from being a 12-4 team.

I wish it would just happen. I mean seriously Tebow would be the best back up on the brown team. Then mid season he beats out Wedden and takes them to the play offs and energizes the organization .

Weeden starts the Browns off to a poor 1-4 start, Tebow comes in and miracles happen, Browns finish 9-7, win a wild card spot.
First round, face the Texans, and somehow pull off a dramatic upset win.
Next round, they are obliterated by Tebow's former team, the Broncos.

Weeden starts the Browns off to a poor 1-4 start, Tebow comes in and miracles happen, Browns finish 9-7, win a wild card spot.
First round, face the Texans, and somehow pull off a dramatic upset win.
Next round, they are obliterated by Tebow's former team, the Broncos.

Like stuff happens like that in real life. Neg rep for making up fables and football lore.